Method and system for remote-controlledly disconnectin a plug connection

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for disconnecting an interlocking plug connection (2) between a vehicle plug (12), which is part of a vehicle (10), and a supply plug (22), which is part of a supply infrastructure (20). The method has the step, carried out by a vehicle-external control system (30), of communicating an ejection command to a control device (40) for controlling an ejection device (11), which is part of the vehicle (10) or of the supply infrastructure (20), and an additional step, carried out by the control device (40), of controlling the ejection device (11) so as to eject the supply plug (22) from the vehicle plug (12) by means of the ejection device (11) on the basis of the communicated ejection command. The invention further relates to a system for disconnecting such an interlocking plug connection (2).

Description

[0001] Method and system for remotely disconnecting a plug connection

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a method for disconnecting a plug connection between a vehicle connector and a power supply connector. The present invention also relates to a system for disconnecting such a plug connection.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] It is known from the prior art to automatically establish or disconnect plug connections between a vehicle connector and a power supply connector, such as a charging connector. This may require that control commands to establish or disconnect a plug connection be triggered by the vehicle's driver in order to bring about the necessary disconnection of the plug connections for the vehicle to be operational. However, triggering such control commands by the driver can delay the vehicle's operational readiness.

[0006] Description of the invention

[0007] The present invention relates in one aspect to a method for disconnecting an interlocking connector between a vehicle connector and a power supply connector, wherein a vehicle has the vehicle connector and a power supply infrastructure has the power supply connector. The method can be performed for remote disconnection of the connector. The interlocking connector can be a positive-locking connector connection between the vehicle connector and the power supply connector. The interlocking connector connection can include the vehicle connector engaging with the power supply connector. Alternatively or additionally, the interlocking connector connection can include the power supply connector engaging with the vehicle connector. Disconnecting the interlocking connector connection can involve ejecting the power supply connector from the vehicle connector.Additionally, the vehicle-side connector may have a cover, similar to a fuel filler cap, which normally needs to be closed manually. The infrastructure-side power connector may also have a cover or a bracket that serves the protective function of the cover.

[0008] The vehicle in question may be one that is connected to the power supply infrastructure via a plug connection prior to its deployment in order to prepare for operation. For example, the vehicle may be an electrically powered vehicle or a battery-electric vehicle connected to the power supply infrastructure via a plug connection to charge its battery. This battery may be a traction battery for powering the vehicle's drive system. Alternatively or additionally, it may be an auxiliary battery for powering equipment mounted on the vehicle. Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, it may be an onboard battery for powering onboard equipment that the vehicle may have.According to one embodiment, the vehicle can be an emergency vehicle, for example a police car, a fire engine, an ambulance, or a rescue vehicle. Before deployment, the emergency vehicle can be connected to the power supply infrastructure via the plug connection to ensure its operational readiness.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the connector can be an electrical charging connector, wherein the vehicle connector is a vehicle-side charging connector and the supply connector is a supply infrastructure-side charging connector. The connector can also be a water connector, wherein the vehicle connector is a vehicle-side water connector and the supply connector is a supply infrastructure-side water connector. Furthermore, the connector can also be a compressed air connector, wherein the vehicle connector is a vehicle-side compressed air connector and the supply connector is a supply infrastructure-side...

[0010] It's a compressed air connector.

[0011] The connector can also be a media connector, where the vehicle connector is a vehicle-side media connector and the supply connector is an infrastructure-side media connector. Media are liquid or gaseous substances or mixtures of substances that are of interest in the application, e.g., oils, medical or technical gases, liquid or gaseous fuels, electrolytes of a vehicle-side (redox flow) battery, heat transfer media for forming a heating or cooling circuit between vehicle-side equipment or components, such as the battery, inverter, (power) electronics, or interior. Vehicle-side and infrastructure-side connectors, cables, and connecting plugs can also be combined, within the limits of their compatibility, into a fixed or detachable unit (housing) (e.g., compressed air and electrical components), allowing standardized connectors to be used individually depending on the supply infrastructure.

[0012] The method comprises the step of an external control system communicating an ejection command to a control unit for controlling an ejection device, wherein the vehicle or the supply infrastructure includes the ejection device. The control unit may be a data transmission device configured to transmit the communicated ejection command to the ejection device. The external control system may be connected to the control unit via a communication link through which the ejection command can be communicated to the control unit. This communication link may be wireless. Furthermore, the external control system may be a fleet management system or a control system for planning or dispatching the vehicle.Alternatively, the control system can also be a component of a remote control for remotely preparing the vehicle for deployment. The ejection device can include the control unit. If the vehicle has the ejection device, the vehicle can also have the control unit for controlling the ejection device. If the supply infrastructure has the ejection device, the supply infrastructure can also have the control unit for controlling the ejection device. If either the supply infrastructure or the vehicle has the ejection device, the ejection device can be configured to disconnect the ejection of the supply connector by expelling a medium, such as a burst of compressed air. Therefore, the ejection device can alternatively be a vehicle-side ejection device or a supply infrastructure-side ejection device.

[0013] The procedure includes the further step, performed by the control unit, of controlling the ejection device to eject the power supply connector from the vehicle connector based on the communicated ejection command. Ejecting the power supply connector from the vehicle connector can disconnect the connector and / or close the vehicle-side cover of the vehicle connector. The power supply connector can be ejected beyond the vehicle's outer contour. Ejecting the power supply connector from the vehicle connector can restore the vehicle to operational readiness.

[0014] The method allows the external control system to automate the disconnection of the plug connection, which is necessary for the vehicle to be operational. This automated disconnection can be achieved by the external control system remotely communicating the ejection command to the control unit. Therefore, the setup time required to make the vehicle operational can be reduced with this invention.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the method, it may include the further step of the vehicle-external control system communicating an unlock command to a control unit for controlling a locking device to lock and unlock the supply connector in the vehicle connector. The vehicle has the locking device. According to this embodiment, the method may include the further step of the control unit controlling the locking device to unlock the supply connector in the vehicle connector based on the communicated unlock command. The control unit for controlling the locking device may be the control unit for controlling the ejection device. The steps of communicating the unlock command and controlling the locking device may be performed before the step of controlling the ejection device.The ejection of the power supply plug can therefore be prepared automatically by the vehicle's external control system.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the method, it can include the additional step, performed by the vehicle-external control system, of communicating a retrieval command to the supply infrastructure to control a retrieval device. The retrieval device can be an active or passive device for actively or passively retrieving the supply connector. The supply infrastructure can include the retrieval device. According to this embodiment, the method can include the additional step, performed by the supply infrastructure, of controlling the retrieval device to retrieve the supply connector into a position retracted towards the vehicle connector, based on the communicated retrieval command. The steps of communicating the retrieval command and controlling the retrieval device can be performed after the step of controlling the ejection device.The ejected power connector can thus be retracted into the position it was in when connected to the vehicle connector. In this retracted position, damage to the power connector, for example from being run over by the vehicle, can be effectively prevented. Furthermore, a holder or cover in the retracted position protects the connector's contacts.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the method, it can include the additional step of the vehicle-external control system communicating an unlock command to the vehicle to control a vehicle locking system. The vehicle can be equipped with the vehicle locking system. According to this embodiment, the method can include the additional step of the vehicle controlling the vehicle locking system to unlock the vehicle based on the communicated unlock command. The step of controlling the vehicle locking system can be performed by the control unit for controlling the ejection device or by the control unit for controlling the locking device. Unlocking the vehicle can cause the power supply connector to be automatically unlocked in the vehicle connector.If, from a vehicle control technology perspective, unlocking the power supply connector depends on unlocking the vehicle, then unlocking the power supply connector can also be automated by unlocking the vehicle.

[0018] According to a further embodiment of the method, it may include the additional step, performed by the vehicle-external control system, of communicating a supply command to the vehicle or the supply infrastructure. According to this embodiment, the method may also include the further step, performed by the vehicle or the supply infrastructure, of interrupting a supply connection established via the connector based on the communicated supply command. The supply connection established via the connector may be an electrical charging connection, a water connection, a compressed air connection, or a media connection. Interrupting the supply connection established via the connector may be a necessary prerequisite for the subsequent steps of the method.Interrupting the power supply can be a safety-relevant prerequisite for ejecting the power connector. Therefore, interrupting the power supply can ensure a safe procedure for disconnecting the connector. This reliably prevents disconnecting the connector while the power supply is connected, which could result in damage to the vehicle or the power infrastructure.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the method, the vehicle connector can be a vehicle-side high-voltage charging connector for charging the vehicle's high-voltage battery. According to this embodiment, the supply connector can be a supply infrastructure-side high-voltage charging connector for charging the vehicle's high-voltage battery. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the interlocking connector connection can be an interlocking high-voltage charging connector connection. Thus, the vehicle's charging process via the high-voltage charging connector connection can be automatically disconnected by the vehicle's external control system even before the vehicle is used. When a driver reaches the vehicle, the connector connection can therefore already be automatically disconnected and / or the vehicle-side cover of the vehicle connector closed, thus enabling the vehicle to be ready for use without manual intervention from the driver.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the method, in the step of communicating the ejection command, the ejection command can be communicated to the control unit to trigger an ejection mechanism by the ejection device. The vehicle connector or the supply connector can include the ejection mechanism. According to this embodiment, the ejection mechanism can include an actuator for causing the supply connector to be ejected from the vehicle connector. The ejection of the supply connector can thus be actively brought about by the actuator. The vehicle or the supply infrastructure can include both the ejection mechanism and the actuator. The ejection mechanism can therefore be a vehicle-side or a supply infrastructure-side ejection mechanism, and the actuator can be a vehicle-side actuator or a supply infrastructure-side actuator.The connector can also be a self-locking connector.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the method, in the step of communicating the ejection command, the ejection command can be communicated to the control unit to trigger a mechanical ejection mechanism via the ejection device. The actuator can therefore be a mechanical actuator for mechanically disconnecting the connector. Alternatively, it can be a pneumatic ejection mechanism. The actuator can therefore also be a pneumatic actuator for pneumatically disconnecting the connector. According to this embodiment, the ejection mechanism can thus be configured to mechanically or pneumatically eject the supply connector from the vehicle connector. Furthermore, the actuator can also be a hydraulic actuator for hydraulically disconnecting the connector.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, after the ejection mechanism has been extended, it is retracted into its initial position. During retraction, a simultaneous or staggered automatic closing of the vehicle-side cover of the vehicle connector is triggered.

[0023] In a first embodiment, this is achieved passively by a pre-tensioned spring (elastic element) connected to the cover. The ejection mechanism (plunger) is designed such that, when the ejection mechanism is extended, the cover is further opened and detached from the connector before the plug is ejected, thus enabling a safe disconnection of the power supply plug from the vehicle connector. When the ejection mechanism retracts to its starting position, the pre-tension of the cover causes it to close until it engages in a vehicle-side locking mechanism, or until it reaches a detent position in the closed state, which may be lockable.

[0024] In another embodiment, the cover closes through a kinematic coupling of the cover with the ejection mechanism on its return to the initial position. This can be achieved directly through a positive-locking or friction-locking connection (e.g., magnetic force) between the plunger of the ejection mechanism and the cover in the extended position, which is released when the ejection mechanism is retracted and the cover is closed, or indirectly through a kinematic connection of the actuator associated with the ejection mechanism and the closing mechanism of the cover. Suitable devices for this purpose include freewheels, positive-locking or friction-locking gears, linkage gears, cam gears, or combinations thereof.The combination with elastic elements is advantageous; these elements are attached to the cover in such a way that they close under tension, but unlike the first design, they are only pre-tensioned by the ejection mechanism when it is extended. The coupling of the ejection mechanism to the cover's closing mechanism is achieved either permanently or temporarily via the ejection mechanism's travel path. With temporary coupling, the pre-tensioned elastic element can be locked (set into a detent position) in the extended end position of the ejection mechanism, thus decoupling it from the ejection mechanism. Retracting the ejection mechanism closes the cover.The cover snapping into a closed latching position, the locking in this position by the locking mechanism of the vehicle's locking system, or the retracted end position of the ejection mechanism can restore the kinematic coupling so that the operating cycle can be repeated.

[0025] In another version, the cover is actuated by a separate actuator (electric, hydraulic or pneumatic) assigned to the closing mechanism of the cover, which is connected to the control of the ejection mechanism via a signal to ensure a delayed closing after ejection of the supply plug.

[0026] Instead of a mechanical or signal-related dependency on the ejection mechanism, analogous designs are also possible for closing the cover, but with the reversed relationship between closing and ejection mechanisms; an advantageous design is described below.

[0027] The ejection mechanism is designed as a spring-loaded plunger that is pre-tensioned when the power supply plug is inserted into the vehicle connector. The ejection command sent to the control unit unlocks the power supply plug and the pre-tensioned ejection mechanism, causing the power supply plug to be ejected from the vehicle connector. The cover is closed by an actuator (electromechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic), which in this design can be integrated with the cover's closing mechanism. This actuator can also be designed to return the ejection mechanism to its pre-tensioned initial position, similar to previously described coupling mechanisms.

[0028] The cover protects electrical contacts or media connectors from external influences (contamination or corrosion) or seals media connectors against leakage of residual media in the supply line or ingress of foreign objects. The electrical supply line is disconnected by the vehicle's supply signal (e.g., via a relay); similarly, media supply lines are also disconnected by the vehicle's supply signal (e.g., via valves). A vehicle-side release mechanism for the cover and its connection to the vehicle's locking system is known for fuel filler caps and is also provided in a suitable, analogous design. After the cover is ejected and closed, it can be manually released from its closed detent position and opened when the vehicle's locking system is in the open position.Depending on the design and connection with the ejection mechanism, the intention to open the cover can be detected by a sensor(s) already present in the actuators for the ejection or closing mechanism (for detecting the travel distance, checking successful ejection, e.g. when releasing the closed cover from the latching position) or an additional sensor (e.g. proximity, pressure or touch sensor / switch), and the opening of the cover is carried out by the actuator or elastic elements of the mechanisms.

[0029] Due to the functional interdependence between the ejection mechanism and the vehicle-side cover of the connector, these can be considered a single unit. Because of the cover's subordinate importance, it will not be discussed further in the subsequent description of the ejection mechanism, and a corresponding locking device for the vehicle-side cover of the connector may be included.

[0030] According to another embodiment of the method, in the step of

[0031] The ejection command is communicated to the control unit to trigger a pushing motion by the ejection device to eject the power connector. The ejection device can have a pushing element for executing the pushing motion. The pushing element can be designed as a plunger or bolt to push the power connector out of the connector. The pushing element can be part of a toggle lever mechanism, in which case the ejection mechanism can be designed as such. With such a pushing-type disconnection of the connector, even a connector consisting of relatively heavy, interlocking connectors, such as high-voltage charging connectors, can be reliably and safely disconnected.

[0032] According to a further embodiment of the method, the control unit may include the additional step of checking whether the ejection of the power supply connector from the vehicle connector has been carried out by the ejection device. The vehicle connector or the power supply connector may have a sensor that can detect whether the power supply connector and the vehicle connector are engaged or disconnected. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor may detect whether the power supply connection is disconnected. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor may also detect the travel distance of the ejection mechanism. The sensor may also be a vehicle sensor installed on the vehicle. The checking step can be performed using the sensor.According to this embodiment, the method can include the further step, performed by the control unit, of communicating a test result based on the testing step to the vehicle or the control system. If the test result is that the supply plug has been ejected from the vehicle connector, the steps of communicating the retrieval command and controlling the retrieval device are performed. This involves retrieving the supply plug into the retracted position with a still-engaged connector connection and from such an uncontrolled position.

[0033] This can prevent resulting damage to one of the plugs.

[0034] The present invention relates in a further aspect to a system for disconnecting an interlocking plug connection between a vehicle connector and a power supply connector. The system comprises an external control system and a control unit. The external control system is configured to communicate an ejection command to the control unit for controlling an ejection device. The control unit is configured to control the ejection device to eject the power supply connector from the vehicle connector based on the communicated ejection command. The interlocking plug connection, the vehicle connector, the power supply connector, the external control system, the control unit, and the ejection device can be designed and configured as described in the preceding aspect. The system can be configured to perform the method according to the preceding aspect.

[0035] The control unit can be located on a vehicle equipped with a vehicle connector. Alternatively, the control unit can be located on a supply infrastructure equipped with a supply connector. The vehicle connector can include an ejection device. Alternatively, the supply connector can also include an ejection device.

[0036] Embodiments of one aspect of the present invention and its features may be corresponding embodiments of another aspect of the present invention and corresponding features of the further aspect. The system may include a suitable device for carrying out at least one step of the method.

[0037] Brief description of the characters

[0038] Figure 1 shows a system for disconnecting a plug connection of a vehicle connector with a supply connector according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0039] Figure 2 shows a system for disconnecting a plug connection between a vehicle connector and a power supply connector according to a further embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 shows a vehicle connector and a power supply connector with a return device according to their respective embodiments to illustrate the invention.

[0040] Figure 4 shows a vehicle connector and a supply connector with a return device according to further embodiments for further explanation of the invention.

[0041] Figure 5 shows a schematic flowchart of a method for disconnecting a plug connection of a vehicle plug and a supply plug according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0042] Detailed description of embodiments

[0043] Figures 1 and 2 show a respective system 100 for disconnecting an interlocking connector 2, which has a vehicle connector 12 and a power supply connector 22. The vehicle connector 12 and the power supply connector 22 interlock. A vehicle 10 has the vehicle connector 12. A power supply infrastructure 20 has the power supply connector 22. The vehicle 10 is connected to the power supply infrastructure 20 via the connector 2. A power supply connection 3 between the vehicle 10 and the power supply infrastructure 20 can be established via the connector 2. The power supply connection 3 connects a storage device 4, which the vehicle 10 has, to the power supply infrastructure 20 in order to charge the storage device 4 from the power supply infrastructure 20 via the power supply connection 3. According to one embodiment, the storage device 4 is a high-voltage battery 5, which is charged via the power supply connection 3.According to this embodiment, the supply connection 3 is a high-voltage charging connection.

[0044] System 100 comprises a vehicle-external control system 30, which is spatially separated from the vehicle 10. In the system 100 shown in Figure 1, the control system 30 is connected to the vehicle 10 via a communication link 32. In the system 100 shown in Figure 2, the control system 30 is connected to the supply infrastructure 20 via the communication link 32. System 100 also comprises a control unit 40, which, according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, is located on the vehicle 10 and, according to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, on the supply infrastructure 20. The control unit 40 is connected to the control system 30 via the communication link 32. The control unit 40 can be controlled by the control system 30 via the communication link 32. The control unit 40 is configured to control an ejection device 11.According to the embodiment of system 100 shown in Figure 1, the vehicle connector 12 has the ejection device 11, which is configured to disconnect the connector 2 and, for this purpose, eject the supply connector 22 from the vehicle connector 12. According to the embodiment of system 100 shown in Figure 2, the supply connector 22 has the ejection device 11. The ejection device 11 has an ejection mechanism for ejecting the supply connector 22 from the vehicle connector 12. In one embodiment, the ejection device 11 has a mechanical ejection mechanism for mechanically ejecting the supply connector 22 from the vehicle connector 12. The control unit 40 is also configured to control a locking device 14. The vehicle connector 12 has the locking device 14, which is configured to lock the supply connector 22 to the vehicle connector 12.According to one embodiment, the locking device 14 has a mechanical locking mechanism for mechanically engaging the supply connector 22 in order to mechanically lock it in the vehicle connector 12. According to the embodiment of the system 100 shown in Figure 1, the control unit 40 or a vehicle locking system 60 controls the locking device 14. According to the embodiment of the system 100 shown in Figure 2, the vehicle locking system 60 controls the locking device 14. According to one embodiment, the locking device 14 has a locking element 15 which engages the supply connector 22 to lock it. The supply infrastructure 20 has a retraction device 50 which is configured to retract the ejected supply connector 22 into a position retracted towards the vehicle connector 12.The control system 30 is configured to control the retrieval device 50 for retrieving the supply plug 22 via the communication link 32. The vehicle 10 has a vehicle locking system 60. The vehicle locking system 60 is connected to the control system 30 via the communication link 32, and the control system 30 is configured to control the vehicle locking system 60 via the communication link 32.

[0045] The embodiment of system 100 shown in Figure 2 differs from the embodiment of system 100 shown in Figure 1 in that the supply plug 22 in the embodiment of system 100 shown in Figure 2 includes the ejection device 11. The embodiment of system 100 shown in Figure 2 further differs from the embodiment of system 100 shown in Figure 1 in that the control unit 40 for controlling the ejection device 11 is a component of the supply infrastructure 20 in the embodiment of system 100 shown in Figure 2.

[0046] Figures 3 and 4 show the vehicle connector 12 from Figures 1 and 2, which is configured as a vehicle-side high-voltage charging connector 13 for charging the high-voltage battery 5. Figures 3 and 4 further show the supply connector 22, which is configured as a supply infrastructure-side high-voltage charging connector 23 for charging the high-voltage battery 5. According to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the vehicle-side high-voltage charging connector 13 and the supply infrastructure-side high-voltage charging connector 23 are each configured as a Type 2 connector or a Type Mode 2 connector, respectively. According to the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the vehicle-side high-voltage charging connector 13 and the supply infrastructure-side high-voltage charging connector 23 are each configured as a CCS connector. The vehicle-side high-voltage charging connector 13 is connected to the high-voltage battery 5.The high-voltage charging plug 23 on the supply infrastructure side is connected to a charging station 24, which is part of the supply infrastructure 2. The vehicle-side high-voltage charging plug 13 has the ejection device 11, which is designed as a mechanical actuator 6. The mechanical actuator 6 has a mechanical ejection mechanism. The mechanical ejection mechanism has at least one push element 7. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the push element 7 is designed as a C-shaped push element that surrounds the plug contacts of the vehicle-side high-voltage charging plug 13. The vehicle-side high-voltage charging plug 13 shown in Figure 4 has two push elements 7, which are arranged between the DC contacts and AC contacts of the vehicle-side high-voltage charging plug 13.The mechanical ejection mechanism is designed to eject the high-voltage charging plug 23 from the vehicle-side high-voltage charging plug 13 by means of a pushing motion of at least one pushing element 7. When the high-voltage charging plug 23 from the supply infrastructure engages with the high-voltage charging plug 13 on the vehicle side, the resulting plug connection 2 is released and separated by the ejection of the high-voltage charging plug 23 from the high-voltage charging plug 13 on the vehicle side. The high-voltage charging plug 23 from the supply infrastructure side is suspended from the retrieval device 50, which has a retrieval winch 52 for retrieving and pulling back the ejected high-voltage charging plug 23 from the supply infrastructure side.

[0047] Figure 5 shows a schematic flowchart with steps for carrying out a procedure to disconnect the interlocking plug connection 2 of the vehicle connector 12 from the supply connector 22. The procedure comprises steps KO, K1, K2 performed by the vehicle-external control system 30 and steps SO, S1, P1, S2 performed by the control unit 40. In steps KO and K1 performed by the vehicle-external control system 30, the control system 30 communicates with the control unit 40.

[0048] In a first step K0 performed by the control system 30, the control system 30 communicates an unlock command to the control unit 40 via the communication link 32. In a further step SO performed by the control unit 40, the control unit 40 controls the locking device 14 based on the communicated unlock command to unlock the supply connector 22 in the vehicle connector 12. If the locking device 40 has the locking element 15, the control unit 40 controls the locking device 14 to allow the locking element 15 to engage in the vehicle connector 22. In an unlocked state, the supply connector 22 can be evaluated from the vehicle connector 12.

[0049] In a further step K1 performed by the control system 30, the control system 30 communicates an ejection command to the control unit 40 via the communication link 32. In a further step S1 performed by the control unit 40, the control unit 40 controls the ejection device 11 based on the communicated ejection command to eject the supply connector 22 from the vehicle connector 12. If the ejection device 11 has the actuator 6 and the push element 7, these are controlled to eject the supply connector 22 by a push movement of the push element 7. In an ejected state, the ejected supply connector 22 is outside the vehicle connector 12 and is no longer connected to it. In this ejected state, the supply connector 22 and the vehicle connector 12 are separated from each other and no longer interlock.

[0050] In a further step P1 performed by the control unit 40, the control unit 40 checks whether the supply connector 22 has been ejected from the vehicle connector 12. This step can be performed based on the sensor-detected ejection state of the supply connector 22. The control unit 40 communicates the corresponding test result back to the control system 30. In a further step K2 performed by the control system 30, based on the fact that the supply connector 22 has been ejected from the vehicle connector 12, the control system 30 communicates a retrieval command to the supply infrastructure 20. In a further step S2, the supply infrastructure 20 controls the retrieval device 50 to retract the supply connector 22 to its retracted position relative to the vehicle connector 12, based on the communicated retrieval command.If the retrieval device 50 has the retrieval winch 52, this is controlled to retrieve the supply plug 22 by winding up a retrieval rope of the retrieval winch 52, which is connected to the supply plug 22.

[0051] Reference mark

[0052] 2 plug connections

[0053] 3 Supply connection

[0054] 4 storage

[0055] 5 high-voltage batteries

[0056] 6 Actuator

[0057] 7 Shear element

[0058] 10 vehicles

[0059] 11 Ejection device

[0060] 12 vehicle connectors

[0061] 13 vehicle-side high-voltage charging plugs

[0062] 14 Locking device

[0063] 15 locking element

[0064] 20 Supply infrastructure

[0065] 22 power supply plugs

[0066] 23 high-voltage charging plugs on the supply infrastructure side

[0067] 24 charging stations

[0068] 30 vehicle-external control system

[0069] 32 Communication link

[0070] 40 Control unit

[0071] 50 Retrieval device

[0072] 52 winches

[0073] 60 vehicle locking system

[0074] 100 System

[0075] K0 Communicate unlock command

[0076] K1 Communicate Eject command

[0077] K2 Communicate Fetch command

[0078] P1 Check

[0079] SO Control locking device

[0080] S1 Control ejection device

[0081] S2 Controls Retrieval Device

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for disconnecting an interlocking plug connection (2) of a vehicle plug (12) having a vehicle (10) with a supply plug (22) having a supply infrastructure (20), comprising the step of communicating (K1) an ejection command to a control unit (40) by an external control system (30) to control an ejection device (11) having the vehicle (10) or the supply infrastructure (20), and the further step of controlling (S1) the ejection device (11) by the control unit (40) to eject the supply plug (22) from the vehicle plug (12) by the ejection device (11) based on the communicated ejection command.

2. Method according to claim 1, comprising the further step of communicating (K0) an unlocking command to a control unit (40) by the vehicle-external control system (30) for controlling a locking device (14) for locking and unlocking the supply plug (22) in the vehicle plug (12) which the vehicle (10) has, and the further step of controlling (SO) the locking device (14) for unlocking the supply plug (22) in the vehicle plug (12) by the control unit (40) based on the communicated unlocking command.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the further step of communicating (K2) a retrieval command to the supply infrastructure (20) by the vehicle-external control system (30) to control a retrieval device (50) comprising the supply infrastructure (20), and the further step of controlling (S2) the retrieval device (50) by the supply infrastructure (20) to retrieve the supply plug (22) into a position retracted towards the vehicle plug based on the communicated retrieval command.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the further step of communicating an unlock command to the vehicle (10) by the vehicle-external control system (30) to control a vehicle locking system (60) which the vehicle (10) has, and the further step of controlling the vehicle locking system (60) to unlock the vehicle (10) based on the communicated unlock command.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the further step of communicating a supply command to the vehicle (10) or the supply infrastructure (20) by the vehicle external control system (30), and the further step of interrupting a supply connection (3) established via the plug connection (2) by the vehicle (10) or the supply infrastructure (20) based on the communicated supply command.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle connector (12) is a vehicle-side high-voltage charging connector (13) for charging a high-voltage battery (5) of the vehicle (10) and the supply connector (22) is a supply infrastructure-side high-voltage charging connector (23) for charging the high-voltage battery (5) of the vehicle (10).

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step of communicating (K1) the ejection command the ejection command is communicated to the control unit (40) to trigger an ejection mechanism by the ejection device (11), wherein the ejection mechanism has an actuator (6) for causing the ejection of the supply plug (22) from the vehicle plug (12).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step of communicating (K1 ) the ejection command the ejection command is communicated to the control device (40) to trigger a mechanical ejection mechanism by the ejection device (11 ).

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the further step of checking (P1) by the control unit (40) whether the ejection of the supply plug (22) from the vehicle plug (12) has been carried out by the ejection device (11), and the further step of communicating a test result based on the step of checking (P1) to the vehicle (10) or the control system (30) by the control unit (40).

10. System (100) for disconnecting an interlocking plug connection (2) of a vehicle connector (12) with a supply connector (22), comprising a vehicle-external control system (30) and a control unit (40), wherein the vehicle-external control system (30) is configured to communicate an ejection command to the control unit (40) for controlling an ejection device (11), and wherein the control unit (40) is configured to control the ejection device (11) for ejecting the supply connector (22) from the vehicle connector (12) by means of the ejection device (11) based on the communicated ejection command.

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